But most of the time, I don't like having a private blog.

So. In September when I made this blog private, I really wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't thrilled about the lack of Google Reader capabilities with a private blog, but knew that I couldn't risk having my students (and their parents, my colleagues, THE WORLD, etc.) read about my life. Maybe, however, I'd love having a private space, I thought; maybe I'd find it liberating to be able to write for a specific readership.

Four months later, however, I can safely say that I do not find it liberating. In fact, I'm kind of going stir-crazy. I'm tired of having to log in to view my own blog, and it just makes me sad that my blog is no longer something that random internet goers can happen upon. Plus, I've found that having a private blog didn't really change the way I write. Yes, in a private space I was able to be slightly more open about my pregnancy (and I was certainly able to talk about it earlier). But for the most part I don't feel as though my writing changed all that much when I made the decision to go private. Did I feel safer? Absolutely. Knowing that Preston's students (and their parents, and my colleagues, etc.) couldn't read my blog was invaluable - a huge relief. But did my filter change? Not drastically.

So. Last week (after many weeks of consideration and conversations with Preston) I started a new blog. A blog which I hope to keep public (fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc.). Although I do refer to myself as Mary on the new blog, I refer to Preston as Mister, Callie as Clio (we exchanged one muse for another), and Ness as Newcastle (from one beer to another, because we are classy. Also because I miss beer SO MUCH.). I do not use our last name, say where we live, or EVER call myself "Mary Frances." I have included pictures of us as well as a link to my Flickr page, but have not included a link back from Flickr yet; I'm taking baby steps. Speaking of baby things, once Little Miss B (the B is for our last name, by the way) arrives I will also give her a pseudonym.

Finally, I've decided not to import any of my archives into this new blog. Partially because oh my GOODNESS it would take forever to change all of those names, and partially because, well, I need this to be a fresh start. I need this to be a place where I can write openly, yes, but I also need to be cognizant from the start that the generation of students with whom I want to work are INTERNET WIZARDS, and that if it is at all possible, they will find me (no matter how many times I assure them that I AM BORING). It makes me sad that I won't have the last three years documented in this new space, but I'll still have them for myself (provided that the internet doesn't explode, in which case I am SCREWED, since Google owns me), and that's the reason they were there to begin with.

The new site needs a few more tweaks, but I'll email out the link soon. And BEHOLD we can all rejoice at the RETURN OF GOOGLE READER CAPABILITIES. YES. Caps lock mandatory. Because I really am that excited about it.